BOSTON — Consider it a renaissance. Consider it a silver lining in a disappointing season for the Red Sox. Consider it a reminder that David Ortiz still can hit a baseball better than most humans, even those who throw with their left arm.

Ortiz has been much better against left-handers of late, with the latest example coming Friday night, when the 39-year-old worked an 11-pitch walk against southpaw Jake McGee in the seventh inning to pave the way for Mike Napoli’s...